And more than £43,000 has been pledged, with the proceeds to be donated to the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust.

Now pals are planning a special night in memory of their friend and to raise more vital funds for the charity.

The event is due to take place in Melbourne next Friday, February 26, and will include a raffle and auction to raise as much money as possible, reports Armaghi .

Among the items donated is a signed Armagh GAA top.

The proceeds from the evening will be divided between the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust and the Echuca Search and Rescue in Victoria, Australia, which had helped in the search for Niall after he tragically fell from the boat.

His friends, in organising the event, have set up a Facebook page to promote it.

They said: “We are all devastated about Niall and it definitely has been like there has been a hole in all of our hearts over the last few weeks.

“Niall was one of the good ones who definitely would have put a smile on your face, sang you a song, told you a joke or added some happiness to your life in some way at one time or another.

“So there is no better way to honour Niall than to raise some money for two great causes, The Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, who have been a huge assistance to Niall’s family at this difficult time, and the Echuca Search and Rescue, and for us to remember Niall by having a night that he would have loved.”